The Federal Government has backed away from a proposed wide-ranging national inquiry into alcohol and violence problems.

It appears Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has been over-ruled and a parliamentary inquiry will now only consider the effects of alcohol on Indigenous people.

Yesterday, when asked whether the alcohol inquiry would just be restricted to Indigenous communities, Senator Scullion said its scope would be broad.

"This is not an inquiry that is going to be fenced off by racial grounds, this is about a challenge that faces all Australians," he said.

Asked if the inquiry would also focus on Sydney or Darwin pub violence, he indicated it would.

"In the pubs, alcohol and violence is just something that is so pervasive in the community," he said.

Today it is a different story, and the minister is unavailable for comment.

An adviser to Senator Scullion says the proposed inquiry will only consider Indigenous alcohol issues.

He said the Indigenous Affairs Minister's comments were made only in the context of his portfolio.

He said there had been no change in position.

In a response to the ABC, the adviser wrote: "The Minister has had some discussions with the Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs (Dr Sharman Stone) about options for an inquiry.

"Terms of reference have not yet been considered.

"In stressing that any inquiry would not be segregated on racial grounds, the Minister was clearly indicating that any inquiry agreed to by the Committee would need to consider issues outside of Indigenous communities that impact on alcohol misuse within the Indigenous population."

The adviser said that Senator Scullion was not in a position to do any interview today, apart from one pre-booked on another issue.